Social Norms and Migration: Evidence from Ethiopia and Nigeria

Using large vignette-based survey with young people aged 18-25 and one of their parents, we examine the association of social and personal norms related to migration with migration aspirations and the self-assessed migration probability of young adults in Ethiopia and Nigeria. In both settings, we document pronounced gender patterns, with male migration generally preferred to female migration, especially when the migrant networks are weak, and the young individual is under pressure to get married. There appears to be greater tendency to see men as providers and hence less pressure on women to migrate in order to help the family as opposed to realising their dreams, but for migrant women, there is relative preference for external as opposed to internal migration. Both personal and social norms influence migration aspirations and the self-reported probability of migrating and personal norms continue to be relevant, even after accounting for social norms and parental influence. This highlights real, though limited ability of individuals to make independent choices within normative structures that shape and constrain people’s opportunities and freedoms.